Admission: Free-will offering
Bennett Bailey, baritone
Jesse Cromer, reputed Portland baritone
Alison Seeber, mezzo-soprano
Deborah Butler, soprano
Emily Flanagan, mezzo-soprano
Ryan Amend, tenor
Christopher Wicks, piano
An opera by the Welsh Society of Oregon Composer-in-Residence, near-lifelong Silverton resident Christopher Wicks, “Rhiannon’s Joys and Sorrows,” based on Welsh folklore, will receive a concert performance sponsored by the Welsh Society.
The plot of this opera follows the events of the first tale from the “Mabinogion,” the Welsh national epic, as translated by Lady Charlotte Guest, and Christopher composed it in April 2024 as a companion piece for his opera “The Curse on Dyved,” which Jamie Webster directed in Australia earlier in that year, at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. This will be the public premiere of “Rhiannon’s Joys and Sorrows,” and admission is by freewill offering. A reception with tea and Welsh cakes, hosted by the Society, will follow in the church’s Fellowship Hall.
The opera is about forty-five minutes long. The description as a “concert performance” means there will be no costumes, sets, or stage action: the focus will be simply on the music. Several operas of the standard repertory have been premiered in this way while “finding their feet” in the world. The cast will consist of local mezzo-soprano Alison Seeber as the beautiful princess Rhiannon, seeking refuge from her coarse cad of a suitor, the rich cur Gwawl (sung by Bennett Bailey, baritone), and the gallant prince Pwyll, who saves her (sung by reputed Portland baritone Jesse Cromer). However, Rhiannon encounters troubles later on from two wicked ladies-in-waiting, sung by soprano Deborah Butler and mezzo-soprano Emily Flanagan, who seek to pin the theft of her baby by a Nasty Beast. However, good news may be in the offing, brought by the gallant herdsman Teirnyon, sung by the tenor Ryan Amend. Wicks himself will play the piano. Will Rhiannon prevail? Come to the opera and find out!
Also check out other Music events in Silverton, Entertainment events in Silverton, Concerts in Silverton.
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